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“Of course.”
* * *
REAGAN
After a bit of internal back and forth, I ultimately agreed to allow Carter to come with me to Brody and Harley’s shore house. I guess I’m planning on continuing our deal, and we do need to learn to be more comfortable around each other before we go public. I also need my family to continue supporting our relationship.
We get down there earlier than everyone else, and he asks me if I’d like to go for a walk on the beach. I agree to go.
We bundle up in sweatpants and sweatshirts and head to the beach. The beach is so empty this time of year. It’s kind of nice. We walk in comfortable silence for a bit.
At some point, he looks at me. “Reagan, what’s your normal type? What kind of men do you typically date?”
I know this will come off as rude, but I’m not sure I care. It’s my truth. “Frankly, Carter, not guys who bow to daddy. I need a man with backbone. My normal type are bad boys, with a few tattoos, a dose ofI don’t give a fuck, and a whole lot of big dick energy.” He laughs.
I shrug. “Much to my mom’s chagrin, I’ve always liked men with a bit of edge. That’s my type.”
He smirks. “I get it. That was amazingly descriptive.”
I smile. “I give Harley a tough time because Brody is such a clean-cut, nice guy. I tell her that his type would never appeal to me. She insists he has some more edge when they’re alone, but I’ve never seen it. I do love the way he loves her, though. I can honestly say that I have not one ounce of doubt in my mind that Brody is madly in love with my sister. She’s lucky for that. Brody fought hard for Harley. They had a lot of things working against them. I respect him for that. I suppose I’m a bit of a contradiction in that regard. I want someone with edge, but also with a heart of gold who isn’t afraid to fight for their love.”
Carter gives me a knowing smirk and a wink.
I narrow my eyes at him. “I told you not to wink at me.”
He smiles as he pulls up the right side of his sweatshirt to show me his skin just under his right armpit. I see a small tattoo for the universal sign for feminism. “I got this as a sixteen-year-old to stick it to my father. His actions have always disgusted me. The best part is that he doesn’t get it. He thinks I was drunk and got a stick figure tattoo.”
He pulls up his left side and shows me the same spot on that side. It’s a tattoo of a date with a halo.
I look up at him. “Your sister?”
He nods.
He then pulls up the back of his sweatshirt where I see a big tattoo of a lion. “Lions symbolize strength and perseverance. I got this about nine years ago when I wanted to quit this job. I’d had all the verbal assaults I could handle from my father. I honestly wanted to change my name and disappear for good. It reminds me that I’m strong enough to persevere. I’m going to wait him out and make my grandfather proud.”
I nod in understanding. “If you don’t mind my asking, what happened to your sister?”
“She drowned in our pool. She was two years old. I was five at the time. My parents had a party. She wandered to the pool area. By the time anyone noticed, it was too late. My mother blames herself, but it was an accident. She’s never fully recovered.”
I touch his arm. “I’m sorry, Carter. That must have been terrible for you.”
“Thank you. It was definitely a tough time. I barely remember her, but I remember the pain of losing her. Does that make sense?”
I nod. “I understand loss, Carter.”
He gives me an understanding smile. “You and your father were close, right?”
“Extremely close. You’ve seen how my family is. We were no different when my father was alive. I always idolized him, which is why I always knew I wanted to own a business, but I’ve also come to realize what a Renaissance man he was. He pounded into our heads that women can do anything. He supported me, my sisters, my mother, and Aunt Cass in every single thing we’ve ever done. He constantly reassured us of our intelligence and worth. I just assumed that’s how all men were, but as an adult, I realize that’s not the case.”
“He sounds amazing. You’re so lucky. I drew the short straw in the father department.”
I scrunch my nose. “Sorry, but you definitely did. My father was amazing. I also appreciate the marriage we saw growing up. It was full of love and support.”
He laughs. “I drew the short straw in that department too.”
I look at him with sympathy. “Yep, you did.”
“How did your mother handle it when he passed?”
